Collator stripper belt



Feb. 6, 1968 Y AVSSQNY 3,367,549

COLLATOR STRIPPER BELT Filed Feb. 24, 1966 fan 420 M lssqwy if/Z;

United States Patent Ofifice 3,367,549 Patented Feb. 6, 1968 3,367,549COLLATOR STRIPPER BELT Edward M. Assony, La Puente, Calif., assignor toWestern Gear Corporation, Lynwood, Calif., a corporation of WashingtonFiled Feb. 24, E66, Ser. No. 529,849 12 Claims. (Cl. 226-74) The typicalweb handled in machines of this type consists of a plurality of sheetsof paper which have been collated and stacked, one above another.Typical of such a web is one comprising a plurality of business formswhich are interleaved with single-use sheets of carbon papergTheindividual sheets of papers are in long strips which have beenperforated to simplify tearing off each set of the forms. Along at leastone longitudinal margin, and often along both margins, there is alongitudinally extending row of spaced holes through the web which areused to advance the web and later to register the forms or web inanother machine.

Known types of construction for handling a web of .this characterinvolve a belt having a row of spaced pins which engage the web bypassing through the holes therein. The belt is at one edge of, or isexposed through a slot in, a table over which the web is advanced bymovement of the belt and pins. At the end of the run engaging the web,the belt passes over a pulley or sprocket, which may be either driven oran idler, while the web continues On the table moving in the generaldirection of travel of said run of the belt. The travel of the beltaround the pulley causes movement of the pins away from the web andretracts the pins from the holes in the web. It is at this point thatthe problem has arisen with the known devices since the pins, as theyleave the web, oftentimes come in contact with the sides of the holes inthe web with the result that the sheets in the stack are separated orelse the holes are torn. This result apparently occurs because of thedirection of relative movement of the pins, as they retract from thepaper web, and the web itself. In known types of devices, the web isdeprived of full support at the location of pin withdrawal. The resultis that the web sags and tends to follow the pins as far as it caninstead of being lifted clear of the pins.

Thus it becomes a general object of the present invention to provide anovel construction for stripping the paper web from a set of conveyingpins in such a manner 'as to eliminate the damage created by the pinsseparating the sheets in the web or tearing the holes.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anovel stripping arrangement for a Web of the character described whichsupports the web as the pins are retracted from it, thereby maintaininga relative motion between the web and the pins such that the pins do notdamage the web as they disengage from the web.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved according to thepresent invention by providing a concoincides in part with the path ofsaidfirst endless mem-' bet, and means directing the second endlessmember over a path which diverges from the path of the first member insuch a direction that the pins are disengaged from the web holes whilethe second member is supporting the web and, in effect, lifting it clearof the pins.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two endlessmembers comprise two conveyor belts, one longer than the other. Theshorter belt carries pins which engage the Web and over part of the pathof the shorter belt the two belts overlie or engage one another. Thelonger belt extends on beyond the path of the shorter belt to supportthe web in such a manner that the web moves in essentially a straightline as the pins are withdrawn from the web.

How the above objects and advantages of the present invention, as wellas others not particularly referred to herein, are achieved will bebetter understood by reference to the following description and to theannexed drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective, partly in vertical section, of aweb-handling construction embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation and longitudinal sectionillustrating the two endless members at the location where the web isstripped from the pins.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section through a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical section through the drive sprocket on line 5-5 ofFIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown a stripper belt construction, viewed in longitudinal verticalsection, embodying the present invention and adapted to transport apaper web 10 over the top surface of a table T or the like, bothindicated in phantom in FIG. 1. The web-handling mechanism comprises apair of spaced pulleys or sprockets 11 and 12 which are rotatablymounted by any suitable means, not shown in the drawing. These sprocketsmay be part of a machine which performs various functions on the web,such as assembling and collating the printed sheets which are dischargedover table T; but in a broad sense, the stripping mechanism isindependent of any other specific mechanism and consequently has beenshown here detached from other mechanism. This shortens the presentdis-closure by eliminating description of such other mechanism and makesthe present invention more readily apparent.

One of pulleys or sprockets 11 or 12 is an idler while the other one isdriven by any suitable means, as, for example, electric motor 14. Thismotor is here shown as being operatively connected to sprocket 11, butit will be realized that either of the sprockets may be the driven one.Passing around the two sprockets 11 and 12 is a first flexible endlessmember 15 which typically is a metal belt; but the present invention isnot limited to any particular material for belt 15. Belt 15 may have anysuitable length, depending upon the spacing between pulleys 11 and 12;and it may be of any desired width. For example, it may be substantiallythe same width as the web 10 in order to support as well as transportthe Web.

Web 10 is shown in enlarged detail in FIG. 2 wherein it will be seenthat the web comprises a plurality of individual sheets of paper 16which typically are interleaved by carbon sheets 17. However, a web ofthis character is merely illustrative of one which is advantageouslyhandled by the present invention since any kind of web may be handled.Web 10 is provided adjacent one margin with a longitudinal row of holes20 punched through the web either before or after the several sheets 16and 17 have been stacked and collated. Belt 15 is provided with aplurality of pins 21 which are arranged in a longitudinally extendingrow and spaced apart by the same distance as holes 20 so that the pinsmay project upwardly through holes 20 in the web, as shown in FIG. 2.Broadly speaking, belt 15 is but one form of endless member moving theseries of pins 21 repeatedly over a closed path or circuit. In this Way,pins 21 serve not only to aid in transporting the web in a forwarddirection but registration is maintained between the several sheets ofthe web.

Pins 21 may have heads 22 on the reverse side of the belt that serve ascleats that fit into sockets 23 in sprocket 11 to provide a drivingengagement between the driving member and the driven belt. Of course,the cleats for this purpose may be elements unrelated to pins 21.

A second flexible endless member 25 is also provided. It is interposedbetween web and the upper run of belt 15, as shown particularly in FIGS.2 and 3, in Which position the paper web rests upon and is engaged bybelt 25. Belt 25 is provided with a plurality of holes 26 which arealigned to register with pins 21 so that the pins pass through the belt,as shown, as well as through the web resting upon belt 25.

In a typical construction, the two endless members are exposed through aslit in table T; but the stripper belts may also be arranged at one edgeof the table. In either case, the top surface of belt 25 issubstantially at the level of the top surface of the table with the webbeing supported chiefly on the table.

An idler 28 is provided at one end of and beyond the run of belt betweensprockets 11 and 12. In this arrangement, the upper run of belt 25extending from sprocket 12 to idler 28 is substantially straight and isalso tangential to sprocket 11, especially that segment between sprocket11 and idler 28 around which belt 25 passes. Idler 28 thus provides oneform of means for directing the second endless belt 25 over a path whichdiverges from the path followed by the first belt beginning at theposition where the first belt follows around sprocket 11.-

As a result of this divergance in the paths of the two belts, pins 21are retracted from holes in the web and holes 26 in the second belt inthe initial portion of this divergence while the web is engaged andfully supported by belt in the immediate vicinity of holes 20, as shownparticularly in FIG. 3.

From FIGS. 1 and 3, it will be seen that the two belts 15 and 25 travelover paths that coincide in part only. Belt 25 is longer and its pathextends out beyond the path of belt 15 to pass around idler 28. On itslower run, belt 25 preferably re-engages belt 15 at the lower side ofsprocket 12, pins 21 again entering holes 26 in belt 25 to maintainregistration between the two belts. However, if desired, the two beltsmay not be brought together until farther along in their paths. In anyevent, it will be seen that by virtue of the pins passing through theopenings in the belt, the two belts are driven in synchronism with eachother at all times.

The operation of the present device will be self-evident from thedrawings. The paper web is supported on table T at the level of theupper or outermost belt 25 at its top run. As the belt moves to the leftin FIG. 1, the paper web is advanced over the web. Since belt 25 extendsin the direction of travel beyond the range of movement of belt 15, thepaper web on the belt is engaged by it beyond sprocket 11 and in thezone where the paths of belt 15 and pins 21 diverge. At this zone ofdivergence, pins 21 are retracted downwardly from the openings 20 and 26in the web and belt, respectively; but by virtue of the support for theweb, the relative motion of the pins and the paper web is such that thepins are withdrawn without engaging and damaging the sides of web holes20.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changesand modifications in the detailed structure of the preferred embodimentillustrated by be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention. For example, the two belts may travel togetherover more or less of their total paths than illustrated. Likewise, whilethe two belts may be co-equal in width or substantially so, belt 15 maybe only a narrow belt as shown carrying a single row of pins 21 Whileweb supporting belt 25 is substantially equal to or wider than the fullwidth of web 10 transported by the outer belt to provide web support. Itis also within the scope of the invention to provide means other thanholes 26 and pins 21 for maintaining synchronous movement between thetwo belts; and in this event, belt 25 may terminate closely adjacentpins 21 but not have holes through which the pins pass. In this case,the belt extends sufficiently closely to the row of pins to support theweb adequately as it is stripped from the pins in the manner alreadydescribed.

Both belts 15 and 25 are endless members and may take other forms thancontinuous belts. For example, they may be articulated members, like achain. Also, a more compact arrangement may be made by, in effect,combining both sprockets 11 and 12 into one, in which case belt 25passes around drive sprocket 11 and idler 28 only.

An example of this last modification is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.The Web 10 is advanced along table T by engagement with a series ofequally spaced pins 30 mounted around the periphery of sprocket 31.Sprocket 31 may be a drum extending across the full width of web 10; butis here shown as comprising two sections mounted upon drive shaft 32which is drivingly connected to electric motor 34 which rotates thesprocket, thus making sprocket 31 the drive sprocket. With thisconstruction, it will be noted that idler sprocket 12 is eliminated, asis also the pin-carrying belt 15, since all of the pins are now mountedon the periphery of the drive sprocket. Accordingly, sprocket 31 nowbecomes the endless member carrying pins.

Stripper belt 35 passes around drive sprocket 31 and also idler 36. Itmay be desired to furnish cleats on the inner side of belt 35 to assurea non-slip engagement with drive sprocket 31. Stripper belt 35 isprovided with spaced perforations, in the manner already described,through which pins 30 on the drive sprocket pass in order to engageopenings 20 in paper web 10.

Belt 35 is here shown as extending across the web for the full widththereof in order to fully support the web in the interval between thetwo sections of table T which are respectively ahead of and behind theupper horizontal run of stripper belt 35. Although the duration of theengagement of pins 30 with the web is more limited than in theembodiment of the invention first described, it will be understood thatthis engagement is still adequate to advance the web and that the actionof the stripper belt in supporting the web while pins 30 are withdrawnfrom openings 20 in the web is essentially similar to that alreadydescribed. As will be seen by reference to FIG. 5, web 10 is illustratedas provided with openings along two parallel margins, as is the casewith some printed forms, in contrast with the belt arrangement of FIG. 1which is adapted to a paper web having holes along one margin only.

Although pins 21 and holes 20 in the paper are shown as circular, theinvention is not limited to this particular shape. Other shapes of pinsand holes may be used; and the same shape need not necessarily be usedfor both holes and pins.

For these reasons, it is to be understood that the foregoing descriptionis considered as being illustrative of, rather than limitative upon, theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A construction for handling a web having a row of holes therein,comprising:

a first endless member having a row of pins engaging the web at saidholes and moved by the endless member over a closed path;

a @5999! flsXible ndle s member interposed betwee the web and said firstendless member and following a path coinciding in part with the path ofsaid first endless member;

means moving said members to advance the web;

and means directing the second endless member over a path diverging fromthe path of the pins on the first endless member to disengage the pinsfrom said holes while the second member is in supporting engagement withthe web in the vicinity of the pins.

2. A construction as in claim 1 which includes means imparting acurvature to a portion of the path of said firstendless member,

and in Which the directing means for the second endless memberestablishes the path thereof substantially tangential to said curvedportion of the path of the first endless member.

3. A construction as in claim 1 in which the second endless memberengages the web independently of and beyond the first endless member.

4. A construction as in claim 1 that also includes means driving bothendless members in synchronism.

5. A construction as in claim 1 in which the second endless member islonger than the first endless member.

6. A construction as in claim 1 in which the first endless member is arotary member with the pins mounted on its periphery; and the secondendless member is a belt trained over the first member, said belt havinga plurality of spaced holes therein receiving the pins.

7. A construction as in claim 1 in which the second endless memberextends across the full width of the web.

8. A construction as in claim 1 that includes a table extending parallelto a portion of the second endless member and supporting the webindependently of the Web.

9. A collator belt construction for handling a paper Web having a row ofholes therein, comprising:

5 a first belt engaging a pair of spaced sprockets;

a plurality of spaced pins on said belt engaging the web at said holestherein;

a second belt interposed between the web and the first belt and movingtherewith;

and means extending the second belt beyond one of the sprocketssubstantially tangential of said one sprocket to support the web to andbeyond the point of disengagement of the pins with the web as the firstbelt passes around the sprocket.

10. A collator belt construction as in claim 9 in which the second belthas a plurality of spaced holes through which pins extend for a portionof the travel of the two belts.

11. A collator belt construction as in claim 9 in which thelast-mentioned means includes an idler spaced at one side of the pair ofsprockets and around which only the second belt passes.

12. A collator belt construction as in claim 9 which also includes meansdriving the two belts in synchronism. References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS ALLEN N. KNOWLES, Primary Examiner.

9. A COLLATOR BELT CONSTRUCTION FOR HANDLING A PAPER WEB HAVING A ROW OFHOLES THEREIN, COMPRISING: A FIRST BELT ENGAGING A PAIR OF SPACEDSPOCKETS; A PLURALITY OF SPACED PINS ON SAID BELT ENGAGING THE WEB ATSAID HOLES THEREIN; A SECOND BELT INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE WEB AND THEFIRST BELT AND MOVING THEREWITH;